ESA has selected the Athena advanced telescope for high-energy astrophysics as its second 'Large-class' science mission. The observatory will study the hot and energetic Universe and takes the 'L2' slot in ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-25 plan, with a launch foreseen in 2028. By combining a large X-ray telescope with state-of-the-art scientific instruments, Athena will address key questions in astrophysics, including: how and why does ordinary matter assemble into the galaxies and galactic clusters that we see today? How do black holes grow and influence their surroundings? Read more
Europe has initiated the process that should lead to the biggest X-ray space telescope ever built. Dubbed Athena, the satellite will be some 12m in length and weigh about five tonnes when launched in 2028. The European Space Agency's (Esa) Science Programme Committee selected the project at a meeting in Toulouse. Read more